Shneidman believes that one should concentrate on the mentalistic aspects of suicide, to focus on the suicidal drama in the life of the mind. He discusses the root condition of human self-destruction, which is in the consciousness. Shneidman reviews the book Essential Papers on Suicide, which he feels highlight 4 psychological aspects of suicide: fight, flight, fright & freight. He discusses psychological pain, (psychache). The Murray Need form is included as a method of evaluation. (5 refs.)